Google Meet Introduces Filters for Video Conferencing

Google Meet has recently implemented a new feature that allows users to apply filters to enhance their appearance during video conferences. This feature was first introduced on mobile devices last year and is now available on the web app version of Google Meet. The filters offer subtle and smoothing effects to lightly touch up users’ complexion before they join a meeting.

Users can choose between two different filters: subtle and smoothing. The subtle filter applies very light complexion smoothing, under-eye lightening, and eye whitening. On the other hand, the smoothing filter enhances these effects slightly more. According to Google, these filters are designed to make subtle improvements without drastically altering the user’s appearance, unlike some of the filters found on platforms like Snapchat.

To access the touch-up options, users can select the Apply visual effects setting in Google Meet and navigate to Appearance. Here, users can toggle Portrait touch-up on or off and select their preferred filter. This feature is rolling out to paid users on specific plans, including Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Teaching & Learning Upgrade. Additionally, Google One and Google Workspace Individual subscribers will also have access to portrait touch-up features.

While Google was slightly delayed in introducing video conferencing filters compared to competitors like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, the filters on Google Meet offer a more subtle touch-up option. In contrast, platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams offer a variety of filters that can drastically alter a user’s appearance.

Google Meet’s new filters provide users with the option to lightly enhance their complexion before joining video conferences. These filters offer subtle improvements without dramatically changing the user’s appearance. With the rollout of this feature to paid users on specific plans, Google Meet aims to enhance the overall video conferencing experience for its users.